Administration of Donald J. Trump, 2020

March 28, 2020

Federal Coronavirus Response/Coronavirus Containment Efforts in the U.S.

Q. Thank you, Mr. President. Just a quick clarification on the "total quarantine" you're talking about for New York City. Would youââ

The President. Well, we're looking at it. We're looking at it, and we'll be making a decision. A lot of the States that aren't infected, that don't have a big problem, they've asked me if I'd look at it. So we're going to look at it. And it will be for a short period of time, if we do it at all.

Q. Would it beââ

The President. It will be New York.

Q. Would you call up the National Guard?

The President. It'll be New York, parts of Connecticut, and parts of New Jersey.

Q. And then, do you close down the subway? Do you close down the bridges, the tunnels?

The President. No, we won't do that. We're talking about leaving New York. Leaving New York. They go to Florida, and a lot of people don't want that. So we'll see what happens. We're going to make a decision.

Q. Would you need the military for that, sir? Would you call up the Guard?

The President. We're not going to need much. And the people of New York, they understand it better than anybody, and they'll be great. I'll speak to the Governor about it later.

Q. Thank you.

Economic Stimulus Legislation/Oversight of Stimulus Programs

Q. Can you speak a little bit about the congressional oversight? Can you assure the American people that the money will be appropriatelyââ

The President. Yes, we have a great oversightâa great oversight Committee. We have a lot of people watching. It's a wonderful thing we've done for the workers and for the citizens. It's really, potentially, $6.2 trillion. And a lot of people are going to work, and it will bring back the economy, I think, very fast. Okay?

Q. But what do you think about Democrats criticizing you that you're overriding this congressional oversight?

The President. Well, they couldn't be criticizing me, because we got a unanimous vote. How can they possibly criticize me? They just gave meâshe's saying they're criticizing me, the Democrats. Why did they vote for it? We got a unanimous vote.

Q. Thank you, Mr. President.

NOTE: The President spoke at 12:36 p.m. prior to boarding Air Force One en route to Norfolk, VA. In his remarks, he referred to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York.

Categories: Interviews With the News Media : Exchanges with reporters :: Joint Base Andrews, MD.

Locations: Joint Base Andrews, MD. Names: Cuomo, Andrew M.

Subjects: Diseases : Coronavirus, domestic prevention efforts; Economy, national : Strengthening efforts; Legislation, enacted : Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act; Maryland : Joint Base Andrews; Maryland : President's visits; New York : Governor.

DCPD Number: DCPD202000203.